The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn and he names the sky his own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.
1. Where is the caged bird and what is he doing? 2. Where is the free bird and what is he doing? 3. What does the caged bird want and what does the free bird want?
4. Pick out at least three diff erences between a caged bird and a free bird, according to the poem.
5. Make a list of any words that are repeated more than fi ve times in this poem and explain how the repetition aff ects you as a reader.
6. The poem ‘Caged Bird’ is an allegory. What is the hidden meaning, in your opinion?
